(persistent ringing ...
(persistent ringing in the background)
"Can someone puh-lease pick up that phone?
Hi, we’re watching the latest installment of ‘Extinction Event: Earth’. This is the ‘Anthropocene’ edition, also called ‘Holocene: the Last Quaternary’.
Previous episodes in this series included some spectacular special effects such as the absolutely magnificent Verneshot, expelling chunks of Earth into space! WILD!
A biotic crisis is usually set off by dramatic events, but this one plays out in the context of an experimental model of behavioural complexity.
Despite the apparent abundance of random conflict, this production keeps losing sight of the plot, and the protagonists are nothing less than lethargic!
The event obviously lacks the cinematic grandeur of the classic action-driven blockbuster.
Instead, the storyline keeps diverting into soap opera territory, exploring unnecessary novelties such as culture wars while adding tired clichés like fights over fuel or power. What is this, a kid’s show?
Nevertheless, even though the predictability of the ending in this production is disappointing, this approach summons an unsettling sense of bewilderment.
Because who would’ve thought the end of the world would look like mowed lawns, a holiday to Greece, or a new pair of jeans?"
This monologue is part of a chapter in 'NGMI' (vertical HD, 1080x1920px, colour/audio, 12'00", 2022) © alexandra crouwers | t: acrwrs | i: alexa_crwrs | www: alexandracrouwers.com